The PRADA study will look to see if the immune checkpoint markers CTLA-4 and PD-1 can be found on white blood cells from the blood and lymph nodes of HIV+ participants taking ART. The study is trying to find out if CTLA-4 and PD-1 can be found on cells with latent HIV.

HIV+

Receiving ART

plasma RNA < 50 copies/mL for > 3 years

Eligible participants will undergo two sampling procedures within a 4 month period.
Leukapheresis involves taking large amounts of blood out of one vein, removing the white blood cells via an automated cell separator and transfusing the rest of the blood back into another vein. It takes 3-4 hours.
A lymph node biopsy from a 2-7cm groin incision will be performed by an experienced surgeon in a day procedure using either a combination of local anaesthetic and sedation or a short general anaesthetic. The procedure itself takes around 30 minutes.

Doherty Institute

Finding solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understanding the complexities of microbes and the immune system requires innovative approaches and concentrated effort. This is why The University of Melbourne – a world leader in education, teaching and research excellence – and The Royal Melbourne Hospital – an internationally renowned institution providing outstanding care, research and learning – have partnered to create the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute); a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally.

Supported by

Supported by the National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number U19AI096109. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

About NAPWHA

Founded in 1989, The National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) is Australia’s peak non-government organisation representing community-based groups of people living with HIV (PLHIV).